Student & Landowner Education & Watershed Stewardship
Project Description: The Student and Landowner Education for Watershed Stewardship (or “SLEWS”) program is a hands-on educational program for high school students to help implement local conservation efforts on both public and working lands. Students gain further insights into conservation and regenerative agricultural practices while learning about career opportunities from a wide variety of professionals in agriculture and conservation.
How SLEWS Involves Students:
Participating high school students will attend 3 to 5 field days throughout the school year, at which they will work directly on habitat restoration projects, such as pollinator hedgerow planting and irrigation, bird box installations, and monitoring of the projects for successful establishment. These field days pack in many activities, including listening to guest speakers, opportunities for the students to speak with professionals related to the projects, writing and journaling exercises, and small-group activities designed to engage students. Curriculum is provided to the schools and meets common CORE standards. Students who have participated in the program have expressed their desire for it to be available all 4 years of their high school career, and some have refocused their areas of study to agriculture as a direct result of their SLEWS experience.
Partners: SLEWS is based on programming and curriculum designed by the Center for Land-Based Learning. Volunteer mentors for the program have come from a wide array of organizations and agencies including the US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife, and multiple farms. Location partners have included Burroughs Family Farms, Dos Rios Ranch, and River Partners.
Funding Source: This program is made possible by contributions from multiple generous donors which have included Dave Wilson Nursery, Morris Nursery, Turlock Irrigation District, Modesto Irrigation District, and the Stanislaus Community Foundation.
Project Contact: Gavin Bruce, Community Programs Manager; gavin.eaststanrcd@gmail.com ; (209) 484-5933
